The IQD Team Salute to All Veterans 2012 WAYS TO GIVE BACK, GIVE THANKS AND FREE MEALS FOR VETS

Ways to Give Back to Veterans Military.com| by Rainier Fuclan With Veterans Day approaching, it can be difficult to know how you can contribute and give back to our nation's wounded warriors. There are many charities focused on everything from veterans assistance to more targeted organizations focused solely on Special Forces soldiers. If you want to support veterans and servicemen and women this November (or any time during the year), here are a few good places to start.Disabled Veterans of America Disabled Veterans of America (DAV) offers a variety of services to disabled veterans and their families. With more than 1.2 million members, DAV has tremendous reach and provides invaluable service to wounded veterans. DAV provides its members (veterans and their families) help with disability assistance, their VA pensions, job programs and more. It receives no government funding, so donations and gifts are crucial to keep providing services to veterans. DAV offers many ways to give back to the men and women who defended our country.Wounded Warrior Project Wounded veterans all require a different recovery process. The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) provides rehabilitation, activities and career counseling for our nation's wounded warriors and their families. You can support the Wounded Warrior Project in a number of ways: by hosting a Supporter Event, sending letters to an injured service member, giving a monthly gift, or making a donation in honor of a loved one. This holiday season, WWP encourages supporters to establish employee giving drives by creating Casual Fridays, departmental competitions or office parties to benefit WWP.Homes for Our Troops Not everyone can give a monetary donation, so there are a number of charities that need volunteer assistance in addition to financial help. Homes for Our Troops uses volunteers to build homes or adapt existing homes to meet the needs of injured veterans. While the group does use grant money from the Veterans Administration, that often does not cover the cost of construction.Don't Forget About a Soldier's Best Friend Dogs are a big part of the lives of our soldiers and veterans. From military working dogs on the front lines to guide dogs providing safety and companionship for wounded veterans, military service dogs need love too. There are many programs to help provide for these brave dogs. Companies like Petco and natural pet food maker Natural Balance are offering special treats to raise money for a military service dog memorial. Working dogs have saved thousands of American lives and continue to impact the lives of thousands of veterans who have returned home.The USO Veterans definitely need a lot of assistance, but the USO provides a way to support active-duty troops. Though the USO does take cash donations to provide many services, there are better ways to support the troops during the holiday season. The holidays are a particularly tough time for many troops and their families. The USO offers USO Operation Phone Home, which delivers a $50 prepaid international calling card to troops, allowing them to make up to 140 calls home.Operation Write Home While active duty soldiers appreciate the huge amount of notes and letters they receive from citizens, many would prefer to be able to simply write home to their loved ones. Operation Write Home offers them that opportunity by sending blank, handmade greeting cards that service members can send back home, along with 20-30 letters of encouragement from citizens. OWH asks for supporters to donate money to help cover costs or to make their own card design to help brighten the correspondence of active military. Since 2007, nearly 2 million cards have been sent to soldiers overseas.For more on military family and veteran support services, visit the Military.com Family Center.Rainier Fuclan is a recent college graduate and blogger. He enjoys Veterans Day because it's a day to fully give notice and respect to the people that put their lives on the line in order for us to live happy lives.SOURCE

Veterans Day 2012 weekend is here and quite a few of the nation's big chain restaurants are offering free meals to veterans again this year on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11 and 12. While some of the restaurants are offering their special free meals for Veterans Day on either Sunday or Monday, a few eating establishments are extending their offer to cover both days, according to My Fox updates on Saturday Nov. 10, 2012. This Veterans Day, many big chain restaurants are offering a free meal to the men and women who have served in the military and those who are currently serving in the military, according to Army Times. Whether it's a free doughnut or a steak dinner, this list of Veterans Day 2012 free meals from the big chain restaurants has every type of meal covered. The restaurants ask for military ID or proof of military service from those who plan to participate in these specials.Sunday Nov. 11, 2012 *Krispy Kreme will hand out free doughnuts (and free small coffee) to vets on Nov 11. *Applebee’s: Free Applebee’s Signature Entree on Nov, 11. *Olive Garden: Free entree on Nov. 11. Monday Nov. 12, 2012 *Denny’s: all-you-can-eat pancakes to vets on Nov. 12. *Champps Americana Restaurant: Free cheeseburger and fries on Nov. 12. *Friendly's: Free breakfast and coffee on Nov. 12. *Golden Corral: Free dinner between 4pm - 9pm. on Nov. 12. * Hooters: 10 free boneless wings with the purchase of a drink on Nov. 12. *Sizzler: Free lunch on Nov. 12. (Choose from 6 oz. steak, Malibu chicken, or half dozen fried shrimp.) *Chili’s: Fee meal, Sunday, Nov. 11. Chili's is offering a choice of one of 7 meals. This offer is available from 11am - 5pm at participating restaurants. *Famous Dave’s: Free Two Meat Salute - choose two different meats served with a Corn Bread Muffin and your choice of one side on Nov. 11. *Red Lobster: Free appetizer on Veterans Day with military ID or proof of service. Vets may choose from a select list of appetizers on Nov 11.

Sunday Nov. 11 and Monday Nov. 12 2012 *California Pizza Kitchen: Free pizza and drink on Nov. 11 and 12. * Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin’ Onion appetizer and drink on Nov. 11 and 12. * UNO: Free entree or individual pizza with an entree or pizza of equal or greater value on Nov. 11 and 12. *On the Border: Free entree meal certificate for up to $10, on Nov. 12. This offer will include donating 15% of the purchase to Carry the Load if you mention this special. Reference: My Fox, Army Times